Canada

The very first settlers in Canada were the French. They called Canada "New France." However, tension was rising between France and Britain. It finally broke out during a war in which Britain gained power of Canada in 1760. After the American Civil War, the Canadians feared an invasion. Seeking immediate aid, the British said that they would not defend Canada if the American forces did invade. Therefore, they demanded independence from Great Britain. In 1867, Three provinces rose to form an independent nation called the Confederation. Eventually, the other six provinces and two territories followed to finally form an independent Canada in 1931. Canada continues, however, to have close ties with the United Kingdom and belongs to a voluntary association called the Commonwealth of Nations.

Canada is a parliamentary democracy, and the federal, provincial, and territorial legislatures are all elected by this parliament. However, Canada’s sovereign is a monarch, the queen of the United Kingdom of Britain and Northern Ireland. The queen is represented in Canada by the governor-general. Canada, as a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, is under the ect control of the monarch of the United Kingdom. The governor-general, however, possesses symbolic power only over Canada. The elected Prime Minister of Canada, currently Jean Chrétien, heads a parliament that runs the nation. Canada’s constitution guarantees equality under the law to all of its citizens. Although powers of the federal and provincial governments are spelled out separately under the constitution, but over the past fifty years they have increasingly co-operated in programs that provide a wide range of social services to the public.

Canada is a sufficiently stable country, both politically and economically. It maintains close ties with the United States, its only neighbor. It has many trade agreements with different countries including the United Kingdom, France, the United States, and Russia. Canada’s people are also satisfied with their government, since it is a parliamentary democracy where all citizens are equal under the constitution. Canada is generally neutral towards many world crises. It doesn’t have any significant disputes with any country. The government, however, is weak compared to the provinces, some provinces are almost autonomous from the central government in Ottawa. Also, Quebec, the originally French province, is striving towards independence. During a 1995 Referendum, 50.8 % of the Quebecan people voted against independence, and 49.2 % voted for independence. This means that tension is tight in Quebec.

Because of its vast size, Canada’s climate is extremely diverse. Climatic conditions range from the extreme cold of the arctic regions to the moderate temperatures of the more southerly latitudes. Average summer temperatures range from 8° C (46° F) in the far north to more that 22° C (72° F) in some parts of the far south. Average January temperatures range from -35° C (-31° F) in the far north to 3° C (37° F) in southwestern British Columbia. Similarly, precipitation ranges from near-desert conditions of less than 300 mm (12 in) per year in the far north to more than 2400 mm (more than 90 in) in parts of the west coast. However, in general, Canada’s climate is temperate, arctic, or sub-arctic.

Despite its expansive area, Canada borders only one country – the United States, with which it shares excellent relations. Excluding the Arctic Archipelago, five physiographic regions are distinguishable in Canada. The largest region, designated either as the Canadian Shield or the Laurentian Plateau, extends from Labrador to the Mackenzie River and from the Arctic Ocean to the Thousand Islands in the Saint Lawrence River and into the United States west of Lake Superior and into northern New York. This region of ancient granite rock, sparsely covered with soil and deeply eroded by glacial action, comprises all of Labrador, most of Quebec, northern Ontario, Manitoba, and most of the Northwest Territories, with Hudson Bay in the center.

Eastern Canada consists of the Appalachian-Acadian region and the St. Lawrence and Lower Lakes region. The former embraces the provinces of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, and the Gaspe Peninsula of Quebec. This region is an extension of the Appalachian mountain system (continuations of the Green Mountains of Vermont and the White Mountains of New Hampshire) and of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The St. Lawrence and Lower Lakes region in southern Quebec and Ontario is a generally level plain.

Bordering the Canadian Shield on the west is the Interior Plain, an extension of the Great Plains of the United States. About 1,290 kilometers (about 802 miles) wide at the U.S. border, it narrows to about 320 kilometers (about 199 miles) west of Great Bear Lake and widens again at the mouth of the Mackenzie River on the coast of the Arctic Ocean to about 483 kilometers (about 300 miles). Within the Interior Plain are the northeastern corner of British Columbia, most of Alberta, the southern half of Saskatchewan, and the southern third of Manitoba.

The fifth and westernmost region of Canada embraces the uplifts west of the Interior Plain. The region belongs to the Cordillera, the vast mountain system extending from the southernmost extremity of South America to westernmost Alaska. In Canada the Cordillera has an average width of some 805 kilometers (some 500 miles). Part of western Alberta, much of British Columbia, Inuvik Region and part of Fort Smith Region of the Northwest Territories, and practically all of Yukon Territory lie within this region. The eastern portion of the Cordillera in Canada consists of the Rocky Mountains and related ranges.

To the west of the Canadian Rockies is a region occupied by numerous isolated ranges and a vast plateau region. Deep river valleys and extensive tracts of arable land are the chief features of the plateau region, particularly in British Columbia. Flanking this central belt on the west and generally parallel to the Pacific Ocean is another great mountain system. This system includes the Coast Mountains, an extension into British Columbia of the Cascade Range of the United States, and various coastal ranges.

Canada produces numerous basic commodities. It has impressive reserves of timber, minerals, and fresh water, and many of its industries are based on these resources. Canada’s extensive mineral resources provide valuable exports and also supply domestic industries. The Quebec portion (Eastern Canada) of the Appalachian region has the world’s largest deposit of asbestos, along with copper and zinc. Many of Canada’s rivers have been harnessed for hydroelectric power. Also, it is self-sufficient in fossil fuel.

Canada has just 0.5 percent of the world population, but accounts for 4 percent of total exports in world trade. One of its many trade agreements is the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), established in 1994. This agreement allows free flow of trade between Canada and the United States. This agreement has marked the two nations as the largest bi-national trade in the world. Canada also has significant trade relations with Japan, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Germany, and Italy.

Canada is a very self-sufficient nation. In fact, its exports are much higher than its imports. Since it is a vast country, natural resources such as fossil fuel are abundant. These resources satisfy all of Canada’s industries. Canada, however, does import many goods such as electronic computers, telecommunications equipment and parts, motor vehicles and parts, and crude oil. The economy, however, is not as strong as it used to be. In fact, the Canadian Dollar is decreasing in value. Many of the Canadians wonder about that themselves. There are several theories of why this is happening. One of them is that it could be the effect of the 1998 decline in Asian economies.

The ethnic composition of the Canadian people is diverse. The largest groups, the French and British, comprise about 60 percent of the population. 20 percent trace their origin to other European countries such as Germany, Italy, Ukraine, and the Netherlands. Some 10 percent are Asian, particularly from Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, and China. Indigenous people make up about 3 percent of the population; they are scattered amongst all provinces and territories, but they are the majority in Arctic Canada.

Most Canadian people are Christians (83.3 percent according to the 1991census). There is a rapidly growing number, however, of people with no religious affiliation (12.5 percent). The Roman Catholic Church is the most dominant in Canada, which makes up 45.2 percent of the population. About half of Roman Catholic people live in Quebec, as they originated from France. Other significant religions include Baptist, Jewish, Muslim, Mennonite, and Buddhist.

As Canada’s people are comprised of many different nationalities, it has a wide array of cultures. Since many of the people are French, British, or from other European countries, their way of life is based on those cultures. Some other origins include Indian, Chinese, and Taiwanese. Also, Canada’s immigration policy is very lenient. This has led to people from many different nationalities immigrating to Canada for citizenship. Some of these people don’t get along very well mainly because they come from different cultures and have different religions. However, the Canadian Constitution guarantees equal rights regardless of sex, race, religion, or social status.

The monetary unit of Canada is the Canadian Dollar (C$), which consists of 100 cents (C$ 1.36 = US$1 1996). The Bank of Canada, which was founded in 1935 and is owned by the federal government, has the sole right to issue paper money for circulation. In 1995, there were 9 domestic and 46 foreign-owned banks in Canada. These banks employed 170,000 or 1.3 percent of the workforce. Most of the banks in Canada are foreign-owned – mainly American.

Canada does not depend on debt in any way. Canada is a first-world country where the standard of living is very high. It is an industrialized and developed nation. In fact, Canada grants debts to other nations. Canada has proved to be self-sufficient.

Canada is member of many trade organizations. One of the major ones is the World Trade Organization (WTO). It is also a member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It is also involved in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Canada is a non-regional member in several development banks such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The Canadian economy, however, is not as strong as it used to be. In fact, the Canadian Dollar is decreasing in value. Many of the Canadians wonder about that themselves. There are several theories of why this is happening. One of them is that it could be the effect of the 1998 decline in Asian economies.

As a state of 30 million, Canada is unlikely to be a state of a strong military power. The only goal of the Canadian army is to oversee and protect Canada. Unlike other armies, Canada’s army is unified. They are not divided into an army, navy, and air force. Military service is voluntary. Defense is not one of Canada’s main economical priorities.

Canada does not particularly depend on other countries for defense purposes, except possibly for the United States. It has no significant disputes between any country, mainly because it shares a border with the United States only. Canada maintains good relations with the United States. Also, Canada has enough military power to oversee and protect its vast regions. Therefore, Canada is in no need of depending on any other country for defense.

Canada is a member of two large defense alliances. It was a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949, along with the United States and several other leading European nations. Also, Canada participates jointly with the United States in the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). This agency coordinates air and space defense of North America.

Views on World Problems:

Because of its high economic and political standing, Canada plays an important role in today’s world. Its opinion is considered important during world crises. However, it does not possess high military capabilities like those of the United States and the United Kingdom. Canada is one of the world’s leading peacekeeping nations. It takes the side of peace during world crises.

Canada is a member of several blocs and groupings. It is a member of the United Nations (UN), and is currently on of the temporary members of the Security Council. Also, it is a guest of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). The Group of 7 (G-7) is an organization that Canada values its membership in. This organization co-ordinates the world’s free trade. It is also a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Canada was a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

European settlers came in a series of waves. First came the French in the 1500’s and formed ‘New France’ in Quebec. During the 16th and 17th centuries, there was high tension between France and Great Britain. This tension broke out during a war in 1760, where the French lost their land to the British. The British remained rulers of the nation for about 100 years, when some Canadian colonies began to strive for independence. After 50 years, Canada was granted full independence in 1931.

The issue of separatist sentiments in French-speaking Quebec flared up again in 1990 with the failure of the Meech Lake Accord. The accord was designed to ease the Quebecers' fear of losing their identity within the English-speaking majority by giving Quebec constitutional status as a "distinct society." In an attempt to keep Canada united, the three major political parties came to an agreement in Feb. 1992 on constitutional reforms. Voters in the Northwest Territories authorized the division of their region in two, creating a homeland for Canadian Eskimos, the Inuits, which in April 1999, became the territory of Nunavut. Also in 1992, Canada announced its decision to withdraw its combat units from NATO command. The economy continued to be mired in a long recession that many blamed on the free trade agreement.

GA Policy Statements

Canada has a very flexible policy towards refugees, especially those fleeing political persecution. Actually, 9 percent of Canada’s immigrants, who make up a large percentage of the population, are refugees. Canada believes that all countries, especially developed ones, should welcome refugees of any nationality or race. They should treat them like all other people, and offer them food, shelter, and jobs as long as they are not a burden on the community. Countries should also consider giving citizenship to such refugees as their governments would probably invalidate their citizenships.

Also, developed countries and the United Nations should grant extra financial aid to countries carrying the burden of refugees. Developing and under-developed nations hardly have enough money for their own people, let alone fleeing refugees who have nothing to their name. The UN should provide the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) with a higher budget, as it is one of the most important humanitarian organization in the world that is funded by the UN.

An example of the importance of the condition and treatment of refugees is the recent bombing of Yugoslavia, which led to thousands of Kosovar ethnic Albanians to flee to neighboring Albania and Macedonia. The countries, two of the poorest in Europe, want to help these refugees through their ordeal. However, they don’t have the capabilities to do so. Therefore, troops from the UN were sent to the area to aid the refugees. This proves how the condition and treatment of refugees is so important.

Issue 102: The question of the role of regional organization in settling international conflict –

Canada believes that regional organizations should have a limited role in settling international conflict. If such a conflict is insignificant, meaning that it does not involve violation of human rights or other humanitarian issues, then regional organizations can participate in settling such a conflict. On the other hand, if the conflict is major, and involves the violation of human rights and turmoil in the region, then the United Nations should be the major body that would participate in settling such a conflict. Regional Organizations can participate in such a settlement, but the UN should have the major role in doing so because it represents the opinions of all the countries in the world. Another organization that is entitled to settle such a conflict is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) because it represents almost all countries in Europe and North America.

An example of such a conflict’s the turmoil on the tiny island of Timor. For decades, Indonesia has claimed East Timor to be a province of the nation. The East Timorese people are now torn between independence and their belonging to Indonesia. After a recent Referendum, operated by the United Nations, the East Timor voted for independence. Since then, East Timor has been in turmoil. Pro- and anti-independence natives have been fighting endlessly, and the Indonesian Authorities have not been able to keep the situation under control. In this conflict, the Association of South East Asian Nations has not participated in settling this conflict. Instead, it was the UN that sent a peacekeeping force to East Timor to stop the violence. This shows how regional organizations are almost always ineffective in settling major world conflicts. Therefore, regional organizations should have a limited role in settling conflict.

Issue 103: The question of growth and implementation of information technology on global communication –

Canada believes that no human being should be without communication to the outside world. "Global communication" can range from telephones to fax machines to the Internet. Governments should highly prioritize the implementation of global information technology, especially the Internet. It keeps one informed, entertained, and educated. The UN should increase the financial support for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), so it can concentrate on the implementation of such technology in developing and under-developed countries, especially those in Africa and Southeast Asia. The UN should increase the UNDP budget by 20 percent, so that it can have the capabilities of implementing such a plan that would implement global information technology in African and Southeast Asian nations.

GA Resolution

FORUM: General Assembly
DELEGATION: Canada
QUESTION OF: The Condition and Treatment of Refugees –

Defining refugees as those who have fled their countries because of a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group, and who cannot or do not want to return to their countries,

Recalling the turmoil in April to July 1994, which witnessed some 1 million Rwandan refugees fleeing from their homes to Rwanda’s eastern borders with Tanzania,

Expressing its Appreciation towards the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which has met its expectations during its efforts to aid the refugees from Somalia, Yugoslavia, and Rwanda,

Further Recalling the UNHCR efforts in the Former Yugoslavia during the war in 1991, where they aided hundreds of thousands of refugees by offering the food, shelter, and safety,

Fully Alarmed by the recently released statistics that show that there are still 6,284,950 refugees in Africa alone, approximately 1 percent of the total African population,

Deeply Disturbed by the fact that there were 21,459,550 refugees in the world during the year of 1998,

Having Considered the immense amount which is needed to support the UNHCR efforts, especially in Africa and the Former Yugoslavia,

Noting Further the Kosovar refugee crisis, where, according to UNHCR statistics, 770,000 refugees fled their homeland to neighboring Albania, F.Y.R.O. Macedonia, and the Yugoslav province of Montenegro,

1. Draws The Attention to the rising number of refugees,

2. Encourages developed countries to welcome refugees, especially those fleeing political persecution, into their countries and grant them citizenship whenever possible,

3. Further Requests that members of the UN grant financial help to the UN humanitarian organizations, especially the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR), by:
a) increasing the annual UN dues by an amount of 1.5 percent,
b) donating the amount of 60 percent of the extra dues to all significant United Nations humanitarian organizations, which are the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO),
c) donating the remainder of the extra funds, 40 percent, to the UNHCR,

4. Have Resolved that the UN must properly recognize such developed countries who have carried the burden of taking care of refugees by:
a) appointing the UNHCR to determine the countries who are aiding refugees partly or fully,
b) estimating the approximate amount being spent by each government on the necessities of such refugees, as defined in the following:
i) food,
ii) temporary and permanent shelter and housing,
iii) safety,
iv) social security,
v) employment,
c) Granting these countries financial support for all their humanitarian efforts that they offered to the refugees,

5. Calls Upon developed countries to assist the UNHCR by not only granting the organization financial support, but also adopting refugees as citizens,

6. Strongly Condemns tyrannous and oppressive governments who have forced their people into seeking refuge by:
a) violating their basic human rights,
b) undermining their political opinion,
c) threatened their safety while in their own homes,

7. Further Resolves that the UN must immediately appoint a special team investigate which countries are committing the crimes mentioned in the above clause, and impose immediate economic sanctions on these nations according to the following criteria,
a) The government has forced the amount of 50,000 refugees or over into refuge by committing the crimes stated in Clause 6,
b) The UNHCR has sufficiently provided the UN with enough information (the annual census would be sufficient) to prove that the accused government has forced that much people into refuge,
c) The government has not responded to a warning that would be given to that government,

8. Emphasizes the importance of co-operation between countries to reduce the number of refugees in the following years,

9. Further Reminds that all refugees must be treated like other people regardless of their race, religion, sex, nationality, or political opinion.

Canada would like to welcome all honorable delegates to this General Assembly meeting today. Canada is generally a neutral country in most crises that face our world today. However, we stand with the righteous side. We maintain good, sociable relations with almost all of the members of the United Nations. In the General Assembly, Canada meets with all the members of the UN to talk about world issues and to participate in solving all obstacles that face our world today. Canada hopes that this meeting can be concluded in a productive way, where all countries can benefit from any decisions made, or resolutions passed.

Canada would especially like to highlight the issue of refugees. This problem is enlarging before our very eyes, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is hardly keeping up with the problem. Canada would like to specially commend the UNHCR for its efforts, especially in Rwanda, Somalia, and its recent work in Kosovo. We would like to bring attention to the United Nations that there are over 21 million refugees in the world, proved by a census conducted in 1998. Most of these people are without sufficient food, shelter, safety, or nationality. The United Nations must take immediate action to solve this problem, and decrease the number of refugees in the world.

Again, Canada would like to express a final welcome to everyone present in this important meeting today. This meeting is an excellent way of exchanging opinions and solving world problems. Canada sincerely hopes that new resolutions can be passed that don’t violate any of the member countries’ foreign policies. May the United Nations prevail, and may the world prosper to be a better place to live in.

Security Council Policy Statements

Canada believes that there has to be a stop to the fighting in Chechnya and Dagestan. The two autonomous regions have been fighting for independence for such a long time that they have witnessed two government changes in Russia: The Communist Revolution of 1917 and the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991. Up to this date, the Chechnya and Dagestan are still fighting Moscow for complete independence. Russia conducted a full-fledged invasion against Chechnya and parts of Dagestan in 1994. They took control of the capital, Groznyy. Because of strong Chechen resistance, thousands of civilians died; some 300,000 Chechens fled to other parts of Russia. In 1996, however, the Chechens expelled the Russian troops from Groznyy. Russian military generals consequently resented their defeat, and rumor has it that they are planning a second invasion.

Canada believes that the fighting between the two republics of Chechnya and Dagestan against Russia is completely unnecessary. Canada’s foreign policy has always been to solve conflicts by peaceful means, whenever possible. Canada believes that fighting has to cease at all costs because innocent civilians are being slaughtered. The best solution is to conduct a Referendum in Chechnya and Dagestan, under the Russian authority, about the republics’ independence, and to have all three governments abide by the results of this Referendum.

Canada is in favor of the UN Peacekeeping force that has recently been sent to control the situation in East Timor. Also, Canada would like to commend Australia for sending Australian troops to East Timor as a part of the Peacekeeping force in East Timor. We believe that human lives must be saved by any means possible. Also, any responsible militias that have been involved in riots that caused violence to innocent civilians must be brought to justice. Canada would like to congratulate the UN for sending such a Peacekeeping force to the troubled East Timor, which has highly helped the situation.

Canada, again, is in favor of the Peacekeeping force in East Timor. We hope that the future of East Timor is now clear. We also hope that the East Timorese people can expect a future of peace and prosperity, whether or not they are fully independent from Indonesia. Canada expects Indonesia to respect the opinion of the East Timorese people and respect the results of any Referendum that may be held in the future. The stability in East Timor and Indonesia as a whole is important to ensure the peace and safety of generations to come.

Canada’s policy of the current problem in central Africa is the same as most other nations: Ensure peace in the area without violating national sovereignty. Although this problem doesn’t affect Canada, we have paid attention to it and expressed our opinion because it concerns tens of thousands of innocent people who are being caght in the slaghter. Whether the case is developing a new nation, or creating an autonomic region, the result must be peace. This problem has been troubling many peoples of Africa, who are not concerned about their government, but about their own welfare. Peace has to remain and be secured in the region.

Canada recommends that the UN Security Council meets the President of Zambia – Mr. Frederick Chiluba’s – request for a peacekeeping force. The president of Zambia is right to ask for such a force as the nation has been caught up in the fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Central Africa as a whole is currently highly unstable. There has been an overthrow of the former government of Zaire, rebels in the current DR Congo, and riots in Angola. That is why Canada believes that the Security Council should immediately respond to President Chiluba’s urgent request for a peacekeeping force in Central Africa.

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The Kosovo crisis has troubled thousands of Kosovar ethnic Albanians who live in Kosovo. Despite the fact that Canada does not currently have troops in Kosovo, we still believe that the K-For troops in Kosovo should remain in the region to maintain stability. K-For has sufficiently maintained the peace and is conducting all necessary investigations on the recent murder in Kosovo. Canada would like to specially commend the K-For troops for their efforts in Kosovo. Also, Canada would like to congratulate the UN Peacekeeping force for successfully re-instating the Kosovar refugees in their original residences and for assisting them with all necessities that they may have required.

Canada suggests that K-For troops should remain in Kosovo for as long as needed. The UN Security Council, however, should decide the future of Kosovo as soon as possible so that the troops may leave the area. They should stay because they are keeping the situation in hand, and decreasing the tension between the ethnic Albanians and the Serbs. The troops are making the future of Kosovo clear, whether or not it will be independent from the central government in Belgrade. The troops as also making sure that the Kosovar people are safe from the Yugoslav troops. This ensures the safety and security of the people of Kosovo, and guarantees the safety of the generations to come.

Canada’s policy for the redefinition of UN Security Council involvement in humanitarian/human rights issues is that the UN should uphold human rights around the world. No price can be placed on the life of an innocent human being. Human rights must be respected by all nations, and the UN must make sure that they do. If the UN must send in a peacekeeping force in such a region or impose sanctions on a country, then they should do so. People shouldn’t be discriminated against regardless of their race, religion, sex, nationality, social status, or political opinion.

The United Nations Human Rights Commission should immediately take action upon countries that violate any or all human rights. An example of a violation of human rights is the military regime of Myanmar (Burma) under Ne Win has violated human rights since it gained power over the country in 1962. A notable incident is the August 8, 1988 non-violent demonstration that the oppressed people held. The government cracked down on the people by shooting at them. Thousands of innocent Burmese people were killed that day. The American Ambassador to Myanmar said that he saw the soldiers shooting at their own countrymen. Also, the NLD, the major opposition party, won the elections in 1991 by a landslide but the junta refused to hand over power to the NLD. This shows the importance of enforcing human rights all over the globe, while trying to best respect the nations’ national sovereignty.

Issue #6: Instability in South Asia (Afghanistan/Pakistan/India) possibly including issue of the Nuclear threat to peace and stability and/or State sponsored terrorism –

Canada believes that the nuclear arms race in South Asia is reaching the breaking point. Canada suggests that the UN should consider sanctions on India, Pakistan, and possibly Afghanistan. This is because recent figures show that India and Pakistan have spent over $4 billion on nuclear development and tests. The arms race is posing a threat to the whole South Asia region as negotiations over Kashmir are not developing very well. The Security Council should encourage the two nations to engage in successful negotiations. The UN needs to take action on this problem before it’s too late, and it’s looking that that time is not very far into the future.

As for the Afghanistan issue, Canada believes that the UN shouldn’t recognize the Taliban Government yet, since if it controls 90 % of the country. Canada recommends that a referendum be held in Afghanistan to confirm the government that the UN should recognize. All citizens over the voting age must be eligible to vote, even women, as this is strictly a UN-conducted referendum. This referendum should be held as soon as possible, as it is an option for stopping the civil war in the country, and bringing back peace to the people.

The war between Ethiopia and Eritrea has still not ceased. The two sides are fighting for disputed land at the border. Ethiopia recently rejected the Organization of African Unity’s (OAU) proposal, claiming that there are "technical details which were unsatisfactory." The war reached its peak in May, when the fighting continued without intervals. Still, both governments were accusing each other of invasion. There are no current peace talks between the two Governments. The UN should not send a peacekeeping force to the region. The UN should, however, encourage negotiations between the two Governments.

Canada believes that the two nations should re-instate negotiations. That way, the conflict would be solved in a peaceful way. Canada encourages both governments to start a new relationship. The conflict won’t enlarge if the countries re-engage negotiations. Through peaceful means comes a start of prosperity for both nations.

SC Resolution

FORUM: Security Council
DELEGATION: Canada
QUESTION OF: The Ongoing Issues in Kosovo

Affirming the fact that over 350,000 Kosovar ethnic Albanian citizens fled Kosovo as a result of Serb ethnic cleansing,

Expressing Its Appreciation towards the European Union, which has volunteered to shelter 20,000 refugees in Europe,

Recognizing the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for its efforts in Kosovo,

Fully Alarmed by the Yugoslav Government, who have continuously and repeatedly proved to be discriminative by conducting acts of ethnic cleansing in the southern province of Kosovo,

Expressing Its Satisfaction towards Albania and the F.Y.R.O. Macedonia because they have shown true humanitarian spirit towards the Kosovar refugees by offering them temporary shelter, despite the poor financial condition in which these nations are,

Viewing With Appreciation the United States, Great Britain, France, Germany, and Canada for supporting the Kosovo Force (K-FOR) and their continued peacekeeping efforts in the region,

Referring to Security Council Resolution number 1244, which Requests the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Representative to control the implementation of the international civil presence and authorizes Member States and relevant international organizations to establish the international security presence in Kosovo,

Further Expressing Its Satisfaction towards the United Nations for creating the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), which designates the implementation of a substantial self-government in Kosovo as its main task,

1. Urges the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to ensure that the K-FOR troops and the UNMIK remain in Kosovo until:
a) The Yugoslav Government have completely extracted its military and para-military troops from the province of Kosovo,
b) All Kosovar ethnic Albanians refugees are either back in their original residences or have been adopted by other countries and been granted all necessary requirements which are defined by the following:
i) food,
ii) temporary and permanent housing,
iii) a safe environment, and what is meant by "safe" is:
an environment where such people are not discriminated, granted their basic human rights, granted their civil rights, and where such people are in no immediate danger,
iv) citizenship, whenever possible, because the Yugoslav Government has revoked most of the refugees’ citizinships, The UNMIK feels that Kosovo possesses substantial autonomy and self-government, All necessary elections for a new government in Kosovo independent than that in Belgrade have taken place, and the UNMIK can finally confirm that stability and peace has returned to Kosovo,

2. Congratulates the UNHCR and the UNMIK for their continued efforts in Kosovo,

3. Strongly Condemns the Government of Yugoslavia for conducting acts of ethnic cleansing against the ethnic Albanians in the southern province of Kosovo, and for forcing NATO to strike Yugoslavia and possibly kill innocent civilians by committing such crimes,

4. Further Resolves that the United Nations Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia must vigorously prosecute all Yugoslav war criminals justly,

5. Further Congratulates the United States, Great Britain, France, Germany, and Canada, who have each taken one of the divided five sectors of Kosovo, for taking responsibility and control their sector, for maintaining peace and stability in the region, and for conducting all necessary investigations regarding the Serb war criminals,

6. Resolves that the UN must place strong economic sanctions on Yugoslavia unless that Government:
a) agrees to all UNMIK requirements regarding the self-government in Kosovo, including the possibility of independence,respects the autonomy of Kosovo, even after K-FOR troops have left the region,
b) does not politically or militarily harass the Government of Kosovo, and
c) terminates all acts of ethnic cleansing and other crimes in all Yugoslav provinces.

SC OPENING SPEECH

Good Morning/Afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Canada would like to welcome all honorable delegates to this General Assembly/Security Council meeting today. Canada is generally a neutral country in most crises that face our world today. However, we stand with the righteous side. We maintain good, sociable relations with almost all of the members of the United Nations. Canada is currently a temporary member in the Security Council, and we would like to use this valuable membership to voice our opinions, and to participate, along with the dignified permanent members of the Security Council, in solving all obstacles that face our world today. Canada hopes that this meeting can be concluded in a productive way, where all countries can benefit from any decisions made, or resolutions passed.

Canada would especially like to highlight the issue of refugees. This problem is enlarging before our very eyes, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is hardly keeping up with the problem. Canada would like to specially commend the UNHCR for its efforts, especially in Rwanda, Somalia, and its recent work in Kosovo. We would like to bring attention to the United Nations that there are over 21 million refugees in the world, proved by a census conducted in 1998. Most of these people are without sufficient food, shelter, safety, or nationality. The United Nations must take immediate action to solve this problem, and decrease the number of refugees in the world.

Again, Canada would like to express a final welcome to everyone present in this important meeting today. This meeting is an excellent way of exchanging opinions and solving world problems. Canada sincerely hopes that new resolutions can be passed that don’t violate any of the member countries’ international policies. May the United Nations prevail, and may the world prosper to be a better place to live in.